Cantilever slide gate

ABSTRACT

A cantilever slide gate is supported on a gate post and on a line post spaced from the fence post on the side opposite the gate opening by means of a pair of brackets, one secured to each post. Each bracket supports a pair of fixed rollers with their axes horizontal in a transverse vertical plane normal to a longitudinal vertical plane through the post. A longitudinally movable track is supported on the rollers by means of two spaced apart top flanges. The track also has two spaced apart bottom flanges which support the gate by means of two pairs of spaced apart rollers secured to the top of the gate with their axes parallel to the axes of the fixed rollers, these rollers resting on the bottom flanges. One pair of the gate rollers is positioned generally centrally of the gate and the other pair is positioned on the side toward the line post. Means are provided to cause the track and gate to move in unison with the gate movement being twice that of the track movement.

United States Patent Ashworth [52] US. Cl. ..49/409, 49/124, 49/138 [51] Int. Cl. ..E05d 13/02 [58] Field of Search ..49/103, 409, 138, 229, 231,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 74,748 2/l8o8 Butler ..49/409 704,887 7/1902 Low ....49/l24X 3,067,813 12/1962 Henatsch ..l60/193X Primary Examiner-Kenneth Downey Attorney-Martin J. Carroll [45] Dec. 12, 1972 [5 7 ABSTRACT A cantilever slide gate is supported on a gate post and on a line post spaced from the fence post on the side opposite the gate opening by means of a pair of brackets, one secured to each post. Each bracket supports a pair of fixed rollers with their axes horizontal in a transverse vertical plane normal to a longitudinal vertical plane through the post. A longitudinally movable track is supported on the rollers by means of two spaced apart top flanges. The track also has two spaced apart bottom flanges which support the gate by means of two pairs of spaced apart rollers secured to the top of the gate with their axes parallel to the axes of the fixed rollers, these rollers resting on the bottom flanges. One pair of the gate rollers is positioned generally centrally of the gate and the other pair is positioned on the side toward the line post. Means are provided to cause the track and gate to move in unison with the gate movement being twice that of the track movement.

10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDHEB 1 m2 3; 705468 SHEET 1 OF 2 l/VVE/VTOR JAMES E ASHWORTH Attorney CANTILEVER SLIDE GATE This invention relates to a cantilever slide gate and more particularly to such gates used with chain link fencing. While there are several types of gates used on fences, cantilever slide gates have certain advantages and are desired for certain purposes. Those of which I thereof. A groove is provided in the lower part of the plate 16 and tapers upwardly along each end of the plate for a purpose which will appear later. A pair of rollers 22 are mounted on the shaft 18 in suitable bearings, one on each side of the plate 16. The axes of the rollers and shaft are horizontal and transverse to the gate movement. A torque bar in the form of an angle 23 is secured to the brackets 8 in order to hold the brackets 8 in parallel relationship. A track 24 is supported on the rollers 22. The track 24 preferably is made of two standard channels 26 having the top portions bent slightly inward so that the underside of their top flanges will be horizontal. The two channels 26 are connected by means of a horizontal plate 28 welded to both channels intermediate the top and bottom of the channels. A stop plate 29 is welded to each end of to permit the gate to be close to theground, but in such case therestriction due to dirt or other materialsmenmounted on the fence posts, support the top of the gate and these must be in perfect vertical alignment with the lower support rollers to minimize binding of the gate frame during operation. This, of course, is difficult to maintain because it is not uncommon for the fence to be bumped with considerable force. Also, in locations where the weather is cold, ground frost will cause the posts to move from the vertical. Thus, the operation of these gates becomes more difficult the longer they remain In 1186. I

It is therefore an object of my invention to provide a cantilever slide gate which is substantially noiseless and easy to operate.

Another object is toprovide such a gate which is retractable into a space approximately equal to that of the gate opening.

Still another object is to provide such a gate which eliminates the need of bottom support rollers.

These and other objects will be more apparent after referring to the following specification and attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of my improved gate;

FIG. 2 is a partial top plan view of the gate and its support;

FIG. 3 is a view taken on the line III-III of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view taken on the line IV--IV of FIG. 3; and

FIGS. 5 and 5a are schematic plan views of the gate showing it in closed and open positions, respectively.

Referring more particularly I to the drawings, reference numeral 2 indicates a fence gate post which may be of any conventional construction and which'is shown as an I-beam. A similar latch post 4 is arranged in spaced relation with the post 2 to provide theopening for the gate. A line post 6 is provided on that side of post 2 away from post 4. The distance between posts 2 and 6 is preferably one-third of the distance of the gate opening. According to my invention, I provide a bracket 8 on the upper portion of each of the posts 2 and 6. Each of the brackets 8 includes a tubular section 19 which surrounds the post and is heldin adjusted vertical position by means of set screws 12 or any other suitable means. An arm 14 of the bracket extends outwardly from the post and has a vertical plate 16 dependent from its outer end. A shaft 18 is supported on the lower end of the plate 16 and extends from both sides channels 26 of track 24, each having a slot 295 therein to permit passage of the gate frame 32. Gate 30 which may be of conventional construction preferably has an outer peripheral frame 32 made of tubular members and a vertical support 34 located midway of its length. The openingin the frame 32 is closed by fence fabric 35. The length of the gate 30 is only the same, or approximately the same, as the'width' of the gate opening as compared to the usual cantilever gate which must be of considerably greater length, usually W; times the length of the gate opening. Mounted at the top of support 34 is a shaft 36 having its axis parallel to the axes of shafts 18. A pair of rollers'38 are mounted on suitable bearings on the shaft 36, one 'on each side of the support 34. Welded to the bottom of the top portion of the frame 32 is spaced relationship with support 34 on the side adjacent post 6, is a bracket 40. A shaft 42 and rollers 44, similar to shaft 36 and rollers 38 are supported by bracket 40. The rollers 38 and 40 are received within the track 24 and ride on the lower flanges of the channels 26.

A pair of spaced apartsheaves 46 are mounted on the track 24, one adjacent each end thereof. A flexible member, such as a wire rope 48, has one end attached to thebracket on post 2 and the other end attached to the bracket on post 6. In practice the rope 48 has been anchored to bar 23 as shown, this being considered as an extension of the brackets. Each end of the rope 48 passes downwardly around the plate 16 in the groove 20 of the associated bracket and around the sheaves 46. The rope 48 is secured to the upper portion of frame 32 midway between the rollers 38 and 44 by means of a clamp 50. A bottom guide 52 includes two angles 54 spaced apart to provide an opening 56 for receiving the bottom of gate 30. The guide 52 is secured to post 6 and may be clamped in adjusted vertical position by any suitable means (not shown).

The operation of the gate is as follows:

With the gate 30 in its fully extended position to close the gate opening as shown schematically in FIG. 5, the rollers 38 will abut the end of track 24, thus positioning it in the fully extended position and preventing any further traveling. The gage is opened by moving it toward the post 6 and as the gate moves, the rope 48 -will cause the track 24 to also move one-half the distance that the gate moves. Thus, when the gate has moved to the fully opened position as shown in FIG. 5a, the forward end of the gate and the track will be in the same vertical plane adjacent post 2. The rollers 44 are so positioned that they will abut against plate 29 at the left end of track 24 when the gate is in full open position as as to prevent overtravel. The gate is closed by moving it toward post 4. Again, both the gate and track move together with the track moving half the distance that the gate moves and the forward movement of the gate is stopped by engagement of the rollers 44 with plate 29 at the right hand end of the track 24.

It will be seen that the gate 30 is supported at its midpoint as a pendulum by means of rollers 38 with the wheels 44 acting to counterbalance and align the gate. For this reason it is preferred to have these rollers as near the center of the gate as possible. The height of the brackets are adjusted to the same elevation so that the sliding parts move horizontally. Continuous smooth operation of the track and gate during opening and closing is assured by the rope 48. Smooth and easy movement of the guide and gate is facilitated by providing the rollers 22, 38 and 40 with lubricated sealed antifriction bearings.

While one embodiment of my invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent that other adaptations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the following claims.

lclaim:

l. A cantilever slide gate supported on a gate post and a line post spaced from said fence post on the side opposite the gate opening comprising a pair of brackets one secured to each post, each bracket including an arm extending transversely from its associated post in the same direction as the arm of the other bracket, a support extending downwardly from said arm and a pair of fixed rollers rotatably supported on the lower end of said support with their axes being aligned horizontally in a transverse vertical plane normal to the longitudinal vertical plane through said posts, a longitudinally movable track supported on said fixed rollers including two spaced apart top flanges and two spaced apart bottom flanges, said support being received between said top flanges and the bottom of said top flanges being supported on said fixed rollers, and a gate having a length approximately the same as the width of said gate opening, said gate including two pairs of spaced apart gate rollers secured to the top thereof with their axes parallel to the axes of said fixed rollers, one pair of said gate rollers being positioned generally centrally of said gate and the other pair being positioned toward said line post, the gate rollers in each pair being axially aligned, said gate rollers being supported on said bottom flanges.

2. A cantilever slide gate according to claim 1 including a flexible member having one end secured to said gate post and the other end secured to said line post, means adjacent each end of said track around which the flexible member passes from the adjacent post, and means for attaching said flexible member to said gate between the ends thereof, whereby movement of said gate causes said track to move one half the distance of said gate movement.

3. A cantilever slide gate according to claim 1 in which said bracket includes a vertical plate forming said support extending downwardly from said arm, and a shaft extending horizontally from both sides of said plate for supporting said fixed rollers.

4. A cantilever slide gate according to claim 1 in which said track includes a pair of generally vertical channels spaced apart with their flanges facing each other, and a generally horizontal plate extending between and connected to said channels intermediate their top and bottom.

5. A cantilever slide gage according to claim 4 in which said bracket includes a vertical plate forming said support extending downwardly from said arm, and a shaft extending horizontally from both sides of said plate for supporting said fixed rollers.

6. A cantilever slide gate according to claim 5 including a flexible member having one end secured to said gate post and the other end secured to said line post, means adjacent each end of said track around which the flexible member passes from the adjacent post, and means for attaching said flexible member to said gate between the ends thereof, whereby movement of said gate causes said track to move one half the distance of said gate movement.

7. A cantilever slide gate according to claim 6 in which each of said vertical plates has a guide groove around the lower part thereof for receiving said flexible member, and in which each of said means adjacent each end of said track around which the flexible member passes is a roller.

8. A cantilever slide gate supported on a gate post and a line post spaced from said fence post on the side opposite the gate opening comprising a pair of brackets one secured to each post, each bracket including a tubular section adjustably secured to its associated post, an arm extending from said tubular section normal to a longitudinal vertical plane through said posts, a vertical plate extending downwardly from said arm, a shaft extending horizontally from both sides of said plate in a transverse vertical plane normal to said longitudinal plane, and a pair of fixed rollers rotatably supported on said shaft one on each side of said vertical plate, said vertical plate having a guide groove around the lower part thereof; a longitudinally movable track supported on said fixed rollers including a pair of generally vertical channels spaced apart with their flanges facing each other, and a generally horizontal plate extending between and connected to said channels intermediate its top and bottom, the bottom of the top flanges of said channels being supported on said fixed rollers; a gate including a frame, a first pair of gate rollers mounted on the upper portion of said frame adjacent the longitudinal center thereof with their axes parallel to the axes of said fixed rollers, and a second pair of gate rollers mounted on the upper portion of said frame on the side adjacent said line post, said gate rollers being carried on the top of the bottom flanges of said channels; and a flexible member having one end secured to said gate post and the other end secured to said line post, means adjacent each end of said track around which the flexible member passes into said guide groove and then to the adjacent post, and means for attaching said flexible member to said gate between the ends thereof, whereby movement of said gate causes said track to move one half the distance of said gate movement.

9. a cantilever slide gate according to claim 8 including a torque bar extending between and fastened to said brackets, said flexible member having its end attached to said torque bar one adjacent each post, said guide 

1. A cantilever slide gate supported on a gate post and a line post spaced from said fence post on the side opposite the gate opening comprising a pair of brackets one secured to each post, each bracket including an arm extending transversely from its associated post in the same direction as the arm of the other bracket, a support extending downwardly from said arm and a pair of fixed rollers rotatably supported on the lower end of said support with their axes being aligned horizontally in a transverse vertical plane normal to the longitudinal vertical plane through said posts, a longitudinally movable track supported on said fixed rollers including two spaced apart top flanges and two spaced apart bottom flanges, said support being received between said top flanges and the bottom of said top flanges being supported on said fixed rollers, and a gate having a length approximately the same as the width of said gate opening, said gate including two pairs of spaced apart gate rollers secured to the top thereof with their axes parallel to the axes of said fixed rollers, one pair of said gate rollers being positioned generally centrally of said gate and the other pair being positioned toward said line post, the gate rollers in each pair being axially aligned, said gate rollers being supported on said bottom flanges.
 2. A cantilever slide gate according to claim 1 including a flexible member having one end secured to said gate post and the other end secured to said line post, means adjacent each end of said track around which the flexible member passes from the adjacent post, and means for attaching said flexible member to said gate between the ends thereof, whereby movement of said gate causes said track to move one half the distance of said gate movement.
 3. A cantilever slide gate according to claim 1 in which said bracket includes a vertical plate forming said support extending downwardly from said arm, and a shaft extending horizontally from both sides of said plate for supporting said fixed rollers.
 4. A cantilever slide gate according to claim 1 in which said track includes a pair of generally vertical channels spaced apart with their flanges facing each other, and a generally horizontal plate extending between and connected to said channels intermediate their top and bottom.
 5. A cantilever slide gage according to claim 4 in which said bracket includes a vertical plate forming said support extending downwArdly from said arm, and a shaft extending horizontally from both sides of said plate for supporting said fixed rollers.
 6. A cantilever slide gate according to claim 5 including a flexible member having one end secured to said gate post and the other end secured to said line post, means adjacent each end of said track around which the flexible member passes from the adjacent post, and means for attaching said flexible member to said gate between the ends thereof, whereby movement of said gate causes said track to move one half the distance of said gate movement.
 7. A cantilever slide gate according to claim 6 in which each of said vertical plates has a guide groove around the lower part thereof for receiving said flexible member, and in which each of said means adjacent each end of said track around which the flexible member passes is a roller.
 8. A cantilever slide gate supported on a gate post and a line post spaced from said fence post on the side opposite the gate opening comprising a pair of brackets one secured to each post, each bracket including a tubular section adjustably secured to its associated post, an arm extending from said tubular section normal to a longitudinal vertical plane through said posts, a vertical plate extending downwardly from said arm, a shaft extending horizontally from both sides of said plate in a transverse vertical plane normal to said longitudinal plane, and a pair of fixed rollers rotatably supported on said shaft one on each side of said vertical plate, said vertical plate having a guide groove around the lower part thereof; a longitudinally movable track supported on said fixed rollers including a pair of generally vertical channels spaced apart with their flanges facing each other, and a generally horizontal plate extending between and connected to said channels intermediate its top and bottom, the bottom of the top flanges of said channels being supported on said fixed rollers; a gate including a frame, a first pair of gate rollers mounted on the upper portion of said frame adjacent the longitudinal center thereof with their axes parallel to the axes of said fixed rollers, and a second pair of gate rollers mounted on the upper portion of said frame on the side adjacent said line post, said gate rollers being carried on the top of the bottom flanges of said channels; and a flexible member having one end secured to said gate post and the other end secured to said line post, means adjacent each end of said track around which the flexible member passes into said guide groove and then to the adjacent post, and means for attaching said flexible member to said gate between the ends thereof, whereby movement of said gate causes said track to move one half the distance of said gate movement.
 9. a cantilever slide gate according to claim 8 including a torque bar extending between and fastened to said brackets, said flexible member having its end attached to said torque bar one adjacent each post, said guide groove receiving said flexible member from the adjacent end of said torque bar, and said means adjacent each end of said track around which the flexible member passes being a roller mounted on a horizontal axis.
 10. A cantilever slide gate according to claim 9 including a stop at each end of said track for limiting movement of said gate. 